Better Coverage Of

Shoreline Plan Warranted

To the Editor:

As reported in last week’s Newtown Bee, Northeast Generation services (NGS) is in the final stages of a yearlong effort to develop a “Shoreline Management Plan” that will affect Lakes Zoar, Lillinonah, and Candlewood. The plan will impact those who live along the lakes, and others who use the lakes, as well as the ecology of the lakes themselves. On June 27 NGS held the final of three public forums to seek input from the municipalities that border the lakes; shorefront property owners; and others interested in preserving the wonderful resources the lakes represent. I contact The Bee prior to the forum because, although the plan had been reported in the Danbury News Times, I had not seen coverage in The Bee. Comments were numerous regarding the other two lakes but almost nonexistent when it came to Lake Zoar. Most people in Newtown, even those living along the lake, were not aware of the plan’s existence or their opportunity to participate in its formulation.

During the meeting NGS announced changes that included the elimination of fees for most Lake Zoar residents. The issue, however, goes beyond fees. Many Lillinonah residents expressed concerns not addressed in the plan that they believe have negative impacts on the ecosystem of that lake. Since one lake is a continuation of the other, their concerns extend to Zoar. Following the meeting I called The Bee and was disappointed to learn that they did not attend the meeting.

Last week’s Bee finally covered the Shoreline Management Plan. Contrary to the inferences one would draw from reading the quotes attributed to me, I do not believe that a property owner’s control of his land should be absolute. Obviously we are bound to conform to legal regulations, and I further believe that we are also morally responsible to be good stewards of our lands and waters. The story also implied that since fees on Zoar were practically eliminated, Lake Zoar and its shoreline residents will not feel an impact from the NGS plan. Many people familiar with Lake Zoar, however, still have concerns including zebra mussel and milfoil control, pollution caused by Canada geese, and low levels of oxygen in almost a quarter of the lake extending down river from the Shepaug Dam.

I wish The Bee had covered this story from the beginning so that more people interested in these lakes would have had an opportunity for their concerns to be expressed and perhaps addressed in the plan.

Fred Stakel

Bridge End Farm Lane, Sandy Hook                                July 3, 2006